PPM Express continues to evolve and bring innovative features that enhance the project and portfolio management experience. Here's a look at some of the latest updates to help streamline workflows, improve visibility, and increase efficiency.
Enhanced Project Stage Categorization
One of the significant updates to PPM Express is the enhancement of the Project Stage field. The system now organizes project stages into predefined categories, making it easier for users to navigate and manage projects effectively.
Key changes:
- Stages are grouped into initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, closing, suspended, and canceled.
- Users can add stages under these categories, reorder them via drag-and-drop, and customize stage names and colors (with appropriate permissions).
- Projects with custom or renamed stages will be automatically placed into the Initiating category for consistency.
This new categorization sets the foundation for an upcoming Stage Gate module, making it essential for users to review and adjust their project stages after the update.
Roadmap Section on Dashboards
A fresh new feature allows users to integrate Roadmaps directly into the project, portfolio, program, business challenges, and idea dashboards.
Administrators and project managers can import Roadmaps into the default view of their dashboards.
The imported Roadmap is read-only but can be updated or switched using the Configure option. When added to custom views, Roadmaps will be visible across other projects, portfolios, and programs with the same layout.
This change ensures that teams can access critical visual timelines seamlessly, promoting better project tracking and alignment.
Field Grouping in Column Configuration
The ‘Configure Columns’ and 'Configure Fields' panels now feature field grouping. Fields are split into two sections: ‘Fields in this View’ (enabled fields) and ‘Available Fields’ (custom and system fields).
Fields in this View displays enabled fields, organized into two columns (Column 1 and Column 2) for better layout. All enabled fields appear in Column 1 by default, but you can easily move them to Column 2 with drag-and-drop.
Available Fields contains all disabled fields, categorized by topic (system or custom fields). You can enable any field and add it to Column 1 or directly to ‘Fields in this View’.
Column Configuration for Dashboard Views
To further streamline project management, PPM Express has introduced an updated way to configure columns within the Details and Decision Matrix sections. Fields in the Details and Decision Matrix sections are now separated into two columns: Column 1 and Column 2, for a more straightforward presentation.
Time Tracking Enhancements for Enterprise Plans
Time management just improved for Enterprise plan users with several new settings designed to optimize resource planning and reporting.
New features include:
- Smart Suggestions. Automatically suggests time entries for resources with planned hours based on their Resource Plan.
- Resource Plan Actuals. Users can now track their time on their Resource Plans, with actual hours reported overriding existing actuals if enabled.
- Billable & Cost Type Synchronization. These fields allow synchronization from the Task level to the Timesheet, streamlining financial tracking.
Private Projects for Increased Security
Private projects are now available, providing added flexibility for sensitive information. This feature on the Enterprise Ultra plan allows project managers to create and manage projects that are visible only to designated users.
Private projects are excluded from general views and permissions, making them invisible to users who aren’t granted access. Tasks, action items, and other project details are also hidden from those outside the project’s team. Private projects cannot be added to portfolios, programs, or roadmaps and come with limitations like disabled time tracking and the inability to clone or archive.
This feature ensures that confidential projects remain secure while still leveraging the full capabilities of PPM Express.
Baseline and Variance Fields for Projects
A new set of fields has been introduced for tracking project baselines and variances. Now available at the project level, these fields allow managers to assess project performance relative to planned schedules quickly.
Baseline fields allow you to view the baseline start and finish dates and the set date for your project. Variance fields are automatically calculated to provide insights into project progress and deviations.
This functionality is essential for project monitoring, especially when external schedules are used, ensuring that PPM Express accurately reflects the latest project data.
User Experience Enhancements with Redesigned Views
PPM Express has undergone a significant redesign to improve user experience across its platform. The changes include streamlined layout options and a more intuitive navigation system:
- Views and layouts are now part of the project header for easier access.
- The ability to pin views to the project header ensures that key project information is readily available to all team members.
- The Share panel has been revamped with new filtering options for easier access to user permissions and inviting new users directly from the panel.
These updates make it simpler for teams to manage project information and collaborate seamlessly.
New Subscription Plans for Flexibility
PPM Express is offering a more flexible range of subscription plans to meet the varying needs of businesses. From simple project management to complex portfolio management, these plans cater to organizations of all sizes.
Updated Plans:
- Projects Plan. Simple to use, AI-enabled modern work and project management with integrated time tracking.
- Projects Unlimited Plan. All-in-one platform for modern work and project management with AI and integrated time tracking for the entire organization (unlimited users).
- Enterprise Plan. All-in-one platform to manage strategy, ideation, portfolios, programs, and projects across multiple project management tools and departments.
- Enterprise Ultra Plan. All-in-one platform to manage strategy, ideation, portfolios, programs, and projects across multiple project management tools and departments with advanced features and capabilities.
These updates allow businesses to choose the plan that best fits their size and needs, offering scalability and enhanced functionality.
Time Reporting Module
We’re excited to introduce the new Time Reporting module, which is now available for all new plans. Key features:
- Time Tracking Settings. Administrators and users with Time Tracking permissions can configure rules and administrative time categories.
- My Time Page. The main hub for managing time reporting, with quick access via Project Tasks and My Space pages.
- Smart Suggestions. Automatically adds assigned tasks to the timesheet for easy time reporting.
- Manual Entry Options. Users can import tasks, add administrative time, or create custom time entries for tasks not listed in the schedule.
For continuous tasks, users can clone time entries across days, weeks, or months for more efficient reporting.
Embedded Content
The Embedded Content section is now available on the Idea dashboard. You can add external links, videos, web pages, documents, and even Power BI reports directly to your dashboard for easy access.
Change Auth Provider
A new Change Auth Provider option allows Administrators to update user authentication providers directly from the People Management page. The user will receive a new invitation to join via the updated provider. License details and assignments remain intact for active users.
Actual Cost
The Actual Cost field has been added to the Resource Plan project section. It calculates costs using the formula: Total Actual * Resource’s Standard Cost. This is rolled up into the Project/Program/Portfolio level as Resource Actual Cost.
Priority Field
The Priority field in Task Management is now shown as both text and an icon for clearer visibility.
Conclusion
With each new release, PPM Express continues to refine its tools to help project managers stay on top of their work. PPM Express is set to drive efficiency and productivity for teams across industries by adding customizable features, improving collaboration, and enhancing time management tools.
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